12/15/2011

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is pleased to welcome Charles B. Huddleston, MD, FACS, FACC, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Cardinal Glennon and Professor of Surgery at St. Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Huddleston is an internationally recognized expert in pediatric heart and lung surgery and congenital heart disease and the most experienced surgeon in the Midwest in combined pediatric heart-lung transplantation. He is proud to join Cardiothoracic Surgeon Andrew Fiore, MD in providing state-of-the- art cardiovascular and surgical care at the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon.

"I am excited for the opportunity to work with my good friend Dr. Andy Fiore and such a highly engaged, skilled team of doctors and nurses, all of whom are focused on providing technologically advanced, comprehensive and considerate care," says Dr. Huddleston

Recognized as one of the "Best Doctors in America" for many years, Dr. Huddleston serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, has authored more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and more than 20 surgical textbook chapters. He is also a member of many prestigious associations of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons in the United States. His special interests include surgical treatment of arrhythmias associated with congenital heart disease, transplantation, chest wall deformities, airway abnormalities and congenital lung deformities in children. In addition, Dr. Huddleston is a Captain in the United States Navy Reserve and served on active duty in Bahrain during the first Persian Gulf War.

"Dr. Huddleston is a fantastic addition to the team at SSM Cardinal Glennon, bringing a high level of surgical expertise and compassionate care that our patients expect," says Kenneth Schowengerdt, MD, Division Director of Cardiology and Medical Director of the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon and Professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

In addition to Cardiothoracic Surgeons Drs. Huddleston and Fiore, the Cardiology team at SSM Cardinal Glennon is made up of eight pediatric cardiologists skilled in a range of specialties from fetal cardiology to interventional cardiology. In July, the hospital introduced the first pediatric hybrid cardiac catheterization suite in the St. Louis region, which allows interventionalists and surgeons to diagnose and fix complex heart problems simultaneously in one space.

"The exceptional technology at SSM Cardinal Glennon allows me to offer my patients the highest level of care with the latest innovations," Dr. Huddleston says." My goal has always been to help children with heart problems grow up to be healthy and happy, and I look forward to continuing that mission with such a strong heart program."